In recent years, kitchen islands have become something of a trendy statement piece, emblematic of the trend towards larger, more open kitchens. But a good island isn’t just a fancy centerpiece, it’s an opportunity to make up for any of your kitchen’s shortcomings. Kitchen islands can act as pure surface space, sure, but they can also house all variety of storage features, seating

Right now, having an up-to-date kitchen is one of the most desirable features in a home. But getting an open floor plan and all the modern conveniences doesn’t come cheap – to say nothing of some of the high end, luxury items you’ve probably seen on TV. But just because you’re on a strict budget doesn’t mean you can’t improve the way your kitchen looks. In fact,

Usually when you talk about upgrading your kitchen, you’re talking about big ticket items: a new refrigerator, range, cabinets, or floors. But sometimes it’s the little changes that add up to a big difference in the way you use your kitchen. Especially in a smaller kitchen, simple functionality-adding features are the best upgrades you can make. Better still, many of the most useful ki

Tile backsplashes have been steadily gaining popularity in recent years, both in the bathroom and in the kitchen. But while having a backsplash in the first place is trendy all on its own, the size, shape, color, and even type of tile used is constantly evolving. In fact, many of the most popular tiles are going out of vogue, while some classic designs are making a comeback, along with a few new s

The time between Halloween and New Years is probably the single worst time of year to do any kind of major home remodeling. Between guests, celebrations, tight budgets from gift-giving, and just good old fashioned bad weather, there’s a lot stacked against end-of-the-year renovations. But this is also the time of year where people that don’t usually see your home are the most likely to

Breaking news, guys! Okay, maybe just for me – but! I just found something really cool. Whitehaus has a full line of hot water dispensers. No, not like those big Sparklets jugs and not like every other faucet that you can turn to hot – these babies are beautiful, compact faucets that spit out perfect 190 degree (F) water with the touch of a button. As an avid tea drinker, sometimes coc

The days of the formal dining room are, for better or for worse, in the rear-view mirror. These days, if you do a lot of entertaining, chances are it’s in your kitchen, not in a separate room. The kitchen is becoming a larger and more open space, not one where one person cooks in isolation but an area where families and friends can talk, eat, and drink together. Of course, this shift means t

It’s fairly common knowledge that one of the fastest, easiest, and least expensive ways to enhance the appearance and value of your bathroom is to add new bathroom tiling, or replace your existing tile. But picking just the right bathroom tiles – the style, color, material, size, and installation type – can be a little confusing. Though it’s a relatively inexpensive change,

I’ll admit, I was thrilled beyond belief the first time I moved into an apartment that had a dishwasher. After years of hand drying and bickering over dish duty with numerous roommates, that one slightly undersized appliance seemed like a godsend. But having lived in several dishwasher-free places since, I realize I haven’t missed it. You see, I’m a pre-washer. Even when I had a

Debating whether or not to cut that additional hole into your granite? Deck mounted soap dispensers have their lists of pros and cons, but for the right person they can significantly improve the kitchen experience. No more sticky slippery soap bottles around the kitchen sink. No more brightly colored eyesores. The quick pump dispensers revolutionize the sink area. Many disgruntled users complain t